Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 155hp DSport Plus 3dr Car Review - March 2012

With a maximum output of 155 bhp this small family car is able to give a decent burst of power when driven. A top speed of 130 mph is impressive, especially for a family car and is combined with rapid acceleration capable of reaching 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds – far quicker than the 12.5 seconds taken by other DS3 models.

The DS3 looks fantastic - stylish, classy and bang-up-to-date.

Standard equipment in this DS3 includes power steering, central locking, stability control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and an advanced stereo with MP3 connectivity are all fitted as standard. Climate control, rear parking sensors, leather seats, an alarm and Bluetooth connectivity are also fitted as standard.

A built-in sat nav is not available on this model and a metallic paint finish on the interior will cost an additional £440 – the same as on the DS3 e-HDi Airdream DStyle and DStyle Plus.

The DS3 should be a very safe option - it received five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and the model offers a great range of safety features. Driver, passenger and front side airbags are all offered as standard features and this model also comes fitted with an immobiliser to deter thieves.

An alarm also becomes a standard feature, unlike on the DS3 e-HDi Airdream DStyle and DStyle Plus, enhancing security further. The vehicle also comes with a three year warranty at 60,000 miles and a service is recommended every 12,500 miles meaning costs should remain fairly low.

Practicality is fairly standard for a family car and the boot capacity of 285 litres with the seats down is adequate for normal family use. Folding the rear seats increases the storage space dramatically, offering a maximum capacity of 980 litres.

At £17,895, this is somewhat expensive for a small family car and some may feel the benefits offered by the additional power are outweighed by the poor efficiency and higher running costs. The range of in-car features is good but certain items, such as a built-in sat nav, are still missing and this means the car may fail to cater to the gadget-mad driver.

Fuel efficiency suffers a little as a result of this additional power and the car only manages an average 47mpg. Whilst this is still fairly decent for a family car it is poorer than the 78.5mpg offered by the DS3 e-Hdi Airdream DStyle 95g model.

Elsewhere, green credentials also suffer and this model has carbon emissions of 139 g/km which bump it into road tax bracket E - again, not bad, just not the best in the range. Insurance premiums fall under group 22 which is also higher than that of other models – with the previously mentioned DS3 e-HDI Airdream DStlye falling under insurance group 15.

All in all, this is a reasonable family car and would be suitable for those looking for long term ownership. Ultimately, the decision over whether to purchase this model will depend on what drivers prioritise in their vehicles. As families generally look for efficiency over power this model could fall behind others in the DS3 range.